LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

This measure would designate a specified portion of State Highway Route 99 from the Fresno/Tulare County Line to the Mountain View Avenue Overcrossing in the County of Fresno as the CHP Officers Brian M. Law and Juan J. Gonzalez Memorial Highway. The measure would also request the Department of Transportation to determine the cost of appropriate signs showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering that cost, to erect those signs.

Digest Key

Fiscal Committee:
YES

Bill Text

WHEREAS, Officer Brian Mitchio Law was born on July 2, 1979, in Redwood City, California; and

WHEREAS, Officer Law was married to his best friend, Rebecca, whom he met when they were in the United States Air Force, and they had three wonderful children: Lauren, Brandon, and Samantha; and

WHEREAS, Prior to joining the California Highway Patrol, Officer Law served in the United States Marine Corps and the United States Air Force; and

WHEREAS, Officer Law, badge number 18896, graduated from the California Highway Patrol Academy in April 2008 with the Cadet Training Class III-07 and, upon graduation, he was assigned to the Oakland Area, where he served for approximately five years before being transferred to the Fresno Area; and

WHEREAS, Officer Law was an avid sports fan and a “die-hard” San Francisco 49ers fan, so much so that his youngest daughter’s baby shower was 49er-themed; and

WHEREAS, At the time of his death, Officer Law and his wife were about to open a kickboxing studio for women in North Fresno—Fight Girl Fitness—into which he had put his “heart and soul”; and

WHEREAS, Officer Law was a hard-working, dedicated officer who loved his job and enjoyed the people he worked with. He was known for being a loyal and devoted family man and a wonderful father and husband. His greatest joys were his wife and children. In his spare time, Officer Law loved taking his family out on his “pride and joy”—his speed boat, and barbecuing and serving his delicious tri-tip; and

WHEREAS, Officer Law is admired by all who knew him for his easy going demeanor, his ability to make friends with everyone, and his dedication to serving others; and

WHEREAS, Officer Juan Jaime Gonzalez was born on February 10, 1981, graduated from Fresno State University, and was a member of the Nu Alpha Kappa fraternity; and

WHEREAS, Officer Gonzalez had dreams of becoming a California Highway Patrol Officer since five years of age and, in 2008, that dream came true; and

WHEREAS, Officer Gonzalez, badge number 18935, graduated from the California Highway Patrol Academy in April of 2008 with the Cadet Training Class III-07 and, upon graduation, he was assigned to the San Jose Area, where he served for approximately two years before being transferred to the Fresno Area; and

WHEREAS, Officer Gonzalez will always be remembered for his silly jokes, his infectious “Scooby Doo” laugh, and his devotion to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Officer Gonzalez is admired for his commitment to duty and the citizens of California, and his faithfulness, honesty, and integrity; and

WHEREAS, On February 17, 2014, the state suffered a tragic loss when California Highway Patrol Officers Brian M. Law and Juan J. Gonzalez were killed in a single vehicle crash while responding to an accident, thereby making the ultimate sacrifice while performing their sworn duty; and

WHEREAS, Officers Law and Gonzalez, who were classmates at the CHP Academy and good friends, were riding in the same patrol car responding to an accident, which had been incorrectly reported in the opposite direction. Nearing the scene of the accident, the officers swerved to avoid one of the pedestrians that had been involved in the accident and struck a guardrail, which caused their vehicle to overturn. Both officers suffered fatal injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene; and

WHEREAS, Officer Gonzalez is survived by his mother, Maria and sister, Sandra; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of the contributions, bravery, and sacrifice of Officers Law and Gonzalez in serving the California Highway Patrol and the citizens of California, it would be fitting to designate a portion of State Highway Route 99, in the County of Fresno, in their honor; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the portion of State Highway Route 99 from the Fresno/Tulare County Line to the Mountain View Avenue Overcrossing in the County of Fresno as the CHP Officers Brian M. Law and Juan J. Gonzalez Memorial Highway; and be it further

Resolved, That the Department of Transportation is requested to determine the costs of erecting the appropriate signs, consistent with the signing requirements for the state highway system, showing these special designations, and upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering the costs, to erect those signs; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the Department of Transportation and to the author for appropriate distribution.